Mount Audubon Hike

Mount Audubon is a great hiking trail within the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It offers panoramic views of Colorado's entire Front Range as well as several of the other Rocky Mountain sub-ranges. The trail begins at Brainard Lake Recreational area. From either the day use parking area or the trailhead parking lot, begin the trek via the Mitchell Lake Trailhead. Be aware of wildlife as moose frequent the area around the lake. The trail gradually ascends through the forest and quickly emerges above the treeline. Low growth krummholz abounds, often several hundred years old. The majority of this trail is a straight shot through rocky tundra toward the saddle. Just follow the marked cairns for the duration of this section. The saddle is approximately 3.7 miles in and sits at 12,700 feet. Look south toward the talus field before overshooting this approach. It is somewhat obscure to find a clear juncture, but knowing that you need to head up the talus field seems like common sense. Follow the obscure path through the boulders using various marked cairns. The summit is a steep ascent through this boulder field for a few hundred feet of elevation gain. At the 13,223 summit, the views are immense. Directly south sits Paiute Peak and the Indian Peak Wilderness. There are several rock shelters to escape the wind and enjoy the views before heading back down. As with any high mountain summit, be prepared for strong wind, colder weather, and changing conditions.